UN steps in to defuse tensions on Israeli-Lebanese border
UNITED NATIONS. August 5. KAZINFORM The United Nations has brought representatives of Israel and Lebanon together, a day after a deadly skirmish along the so-called Blue Line separating the two countries, to prevent similar violence erupting in the future.
Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL ), convened an extraordinary tripartite meeting this evening with senior representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
The talks at the UN position at the Ras Al Naqoura crossing in southern Lebanon followed yesterday's exchange of fire between the two forces across the Blue Line at El Adeisse, which reportedly claimed at least four lives.
Major-General Asarta said that at the talks, he "reiterated the sensitivity of the Blue Line and urged utmost caution in any actions along the Blue Line that could be perceived as provocative and exacerbate tensions."
UNIFIL informed the parties about the preliminary findings of its investigation into yesterday's events.
The Force Commander said that he also called on Israel and Lebanon to work with UNIFIL, particularly on matters relating to the Blue Line, to minimize the possibility of future misunderstandings that could escalate further, the UN News Centre informs.
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